Method and Apparatus for Mounting a Vision System

ABSTRACT

A vision system for mounting an imaging assembly to a helmet through a helmet adapter and a mounting assembly. The mounting assembly includes a receiver for removably mounting an imaging assembly. The receiver is coupled to a cross-slide assembly providing fore-aft and side-to-side movement of the imaging assembly relative to the helmet. A stow pivot/slide assembly is coupled between the cross-slide assembly and the helmet adapter for moving the imaging assembly between a stowed and a deployed position. The vertical position and tilt angle of the imaging assembly is also adjustable by the stow pivot/slide assembly.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional patentapplication Ser. No. 60/637,097, filed Dec. 17, 2004, and also claimsthe benefit of U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/646,110,filed Jan. 21, 2005. The entire disclosure of both applications areincorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention is generally related to vision systems and, moreparticularly, to a method and apparatus for mounting a vision system to,for example, a helmet.

BACKGROUND

Vision systems, such as night or low light vision systems, include imageintensification, thermal imaging, and fusion monoculars, binoculars,bioculars, and goggles, whether hand-held, weapon mounted, or helmetmounted. In a helmet mounted configuration, the helmet may include ahelmet mount fixed thereto for removably receiving an associated mountaffixed to the vision system. Both the helmet mount and the visionsystem mount may be configured to allow for fit and location adjustmentof the vision system. For example, the helmet and vision system mountscombined may allow vertical adjustment, fore and aft adjustment,interpupilary distance adjustment, tilt adjustment, and may allowrotation of the vision system to a stowed area adjacent a top surface ofthe helmet.

Facile orientation of the vision system to a user's fit and locationpreferences is a desirable feature in a vision system. One difficultyassociated with providing these features has been the limited physicalspace available for mounting. This difficulty has been exacerbated bythe advancement of fusion systems. Fusion vision systems are typicallyused by military and law enforcement personnel and include imageintensification tubes, focal plane arrays, and displays that take upspace.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a better understanding of the present invention, together with otherobjects, features and advantages, reference should be made to thefollowing detailed description, which should be read in conjunction withthe following figures wherein:

FIG. 1 is a side view of a vision system consistent with one embodimentof the present invention mounted to a helmet;

FIG. 2 is an isometric view of the vision system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 2A is a front exploded view of the vision system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 2B is an isometric exploded view of the vision system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an isometric view of the mount assembly of the vision systemof FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a partial exploded view of the mount assembly of the visionsystem of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a bottom view of a portion of the mount assembly of the visionsystem of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is an exploded view of a portion of the mount assembly of thevision system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is an exploded view of a portion of the mount assembly of thevision system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is an exploded view of the receiver of the vision system of FIG.1;

FIG. 9 is a rear isometric view of the dovetail of the imaging assemblyof FIG. 1;

FIG. 10 is a front isometric view of the dovetail of the imagingassembly of FIG. 1;

FIG. 11 is side view of the mount assembly of the vision system of FIG.1;

FIG. 12 is an isometric exploded view of a portion of the cross-slideassembly of the vision system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 13 is a side view illustrating an in-sight/deployed position of themount assembly of the vision system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 14 is a side view illustrating an out-of-sight position of themount assembly of the vision system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 15 is an exploded isometric view illustrating details of the stowpivot of the mount assembly of the vision system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 16 is an exploded isometric view of the stow pivot and slideassembly of the mount assembly the vision system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 17 is a rear isometric view of the mounting interface of the visionsystem of FIG. 1;

FIG. 18 is an isometric view showing the attachment of the mountinginterface of the vision system of FIG. 1.

FIG. 19 is an isometric view of the vision system shown in FIG. 1, notincluding the helmet;

FIG. 20 is a front-side isometric view of the helmet adaptor assembly ofFIG. 1;

FIG. 21 is a rear-side isometric view of the helmet adaptor assembly ofFIG. 1;

FIG. 22 is an exploded view of a portion of the helmet adaptor plateassembly of FIG. 1;

FIG. 23 is an exploded view of the helmet adaptor plate and front hookassembly of the helmet adaptor plate assembly of FIG. 1;

FIG. 24 is an exploded view of a rear hook assembly of the helmetadaptor assembly of FIG. 1;

FIG. 25 is an isometric view of an embodiment of a power cable and astrap assembly consistent with the present invention;

FIG. 26 is a plan view of the strap assembly of FIG. 25;

FIG. 27 is side elevation view of the strap assembly of FIG. 26;

FIG. 28 is a cross-sectional view of the strap assembly of FIG. 26;

FIG. 29 is an isometric view of an embodiment of a battery pack hub andbuckle consistent with the present invention;

FIG. 30 is a plan view of the battery pack hub and buckle of FIG. 29;

FIG. 31, is a cross-sectional view of the battery pack hub and buckle ofFIG. 29;

FIG. 32 is an exploded rear view of the battery pack hub and buckle ofFIG. 29;

FIG. 33 is a rear view of the battery pack hub and buckle of FIG. 29;

FIG. 34 is a partial exploded rear view of the battery pack hub andbuckle of FIG. 29;

FIG. 35 is an isometric view of an embodiment of a battery pack hub andbuckle and strap assembly consistent with the present invention;

FIG. 36 is a rear, partial exploded view of the battery pack hub andbuckle of FIG. 29;

FIG. 37 depicts an embodiment of a connector suitable for use inconnection with a battery pack hub consistent with the presentinvention;

FIG. 38 depicts an embodiment of wiring detail between a cable and aconnector consistent with the present invention;

FIG. 39 is an isometric view of an embodiment of a battery pack hub andbuckle and strap assembly coupled to a rear hook assembly consistentwith the present invention; and

FIG. 40 illustrates an embodiment of a battery pack consistent with thepresent invention mounted to a helmet.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 is a side view of a vision system 100 consistent with oneembodiment of the invention mounted to a helmet 101 through a helmetadapter assembly 2000. FIGS. 2, 2A, and 2B are assembly and explodedviews of the vision system 100. The vision system 100 may include amount assembly 102 and an imaging assembly 104 removably affixed to themount assembly 102. A receiver 106 may provide a mechanical andelectrical interface between the mount assembly 102 and the imagingassembly 104. As described in greater detail herein, the receiver 106may include surfaces defining first 108 and second 110 slots, e.g.dovetail slots, for receiving associated dovetails 114, 112,respectively, associated with, and/or coupled to, the imaging assembly104 for removably securing the imaging assembly 104 to the mountassembly 102.

As depicted, the imaging assembly 104 may be configured as a monocular,including an image intensification channel 116 and a thermal channel118. Processing electronics associated with the image intensificationchannel 116 and the thermal channel 118 may be disposed within a housing120, which may be sealed/waterproof to protect the electronics fromcontaminants and water.

The system 100 may be powered by one or more batteries disposed in aremovable battery pack 103 coupled to the helmet 101. Power from thebatteries may be provided to the imaging assembly 104 through anelectrical connection extending through the mount assembly 102 and tothe imaging assembly 104. The electrical connection may be established,at least in part, through one or more cables 140, extending to hot shoes122, 124 associated with each of the slots 108, 110, as shown in FIGS.3-8. The hot shoes 122, 124 may provide an interface for providingconnection to the imaging assembly 104 through corresponding hot shoes126 associated with each of the dovetails 112, 114, shown in FIG. 10.Information from the image intensification (I²) channel 116 may be fusedwith the information from the thermal channel 118 and may be presentedfor viewing through the eyepiece 130. The eyepiece 130 may include oneor more ocular lenses.

FIGS. 3-7 illustrate an exemplary mount assembly 102. The illustratedexemplary embodiment includes a cross-slide assembly 400 coupled to astow pivot and slide (SPS) assembly 406 through a mount arm 404. Asdescribed in greater detail herein, the mount assembly 102 may allowadjustment of the fore, aft, tilt, and vertical position of the imagingassembly 104 relative to the helmet 101. In addition, the SPS assembly406 may facilitate pivoting of mount arm 404 to move the cross-slideassembly 400 and the imaging assembly 104 affixed thereto between astowed, or out-of-sight, position adjacent a top surface of the helmet,as shown in FIG. 14, and an operable, or insight, position, as depictedin FIGS. 1 and 13.

According to one aspect, the power to the imaging assembly 104 may bedisconnected when the imaging assembly 104 is in the stowed position.According to this aspect, the mount assembly 102 may include a magnetand a Hall Effect switch package 602, as shown in FIG. 6, a Reed switch,etc. When the imaging assembly 104 is in the stowed position, the magnetmay cause a change in the magnetic flux imparted to the Hall Effectswitch 602, thereby placing the Hall Effect switch 602 in a state(open/closed) to turn off the imaging assembly electronics, or put theimaging assembly in a lower power consumption mode. When the imagingassembly 104 is moved into the operable position, the flux imparted tothe Hall Effect switch 602 may place the Hall Effect switch 602 in astate to enable the imaging assembly electronics.

FIG. 8 is an exploded view of the receiver 106 of FIG. 1. Theillustrated exemplary receiver 106 includes a body portion 800, a lever802, a lever receiver 804, first 122 and second 124 hot shoes, a releasepin 806, and a torsion spring 808. In one embodiment, the receiver 106may be constructed from a 7075 T6 aluminum alloy to provide a highelastic modulus and high bearing strength.

The hot shoes 122, 124 may be received within an opening 810 in the bodyportion 800 and may be fixed within the body portion 800 to extend fromassociated openings 812, 814 to expose contacts 816 to associatedcontacts 1000 on the hot shoes 126 of dovetails 112, 114. The hot shoecontacts 816 may provide power and ground connections from thebatteries, as well as power and ground connections from the Hall Effectswitch 602. The contacts 816 may be constructed from a brass 360 alloywith a plating system of copper, electroless nickel and gold to providelow electrical contact resistance and corrosion and wear capability. Inone embodiment, the gold layer may by about 2.5 micrometers inthickness. Molded plastic inserts may be used to support the hotshoes/contacts. The inserts may be bonded to an aluminum receiver using3M 2216 epoxy, and may be constructed from a 20% glass fiber reinforcedpolyetherimide (PEI) plastic, such as ULTEM available from GE Plastics,to provide tolerance to thermal stress and corrosion and wearcapability.

Electrical connections from the batteries and the Hall Effect switch 602may be made through the conductors of cable 140, which may extendthrough an opening 818 in the body portion 800 for connection toassociated pins 820 on the back of the hot shoes 122, 124. The receiverhot shoes 122, 124 and the dovetail hot shoes 126 may be configured toprovide appropriate electrical connection to the imaging assembly 104through the dovetails 112, 114 and corresponding slots 108, 110 oneither side of the receiver 106, i.e., with the dovetail 114 receivedwithin slot 108 or with the dovetail 112 received within slot 110.

The lever receiver 804 may be at least partially received within theopening 810 and may be secured to the body portion 800. The lever 802may include first 830 and second 832 arms having first 831 and second833 detents, respectively, and an actuating tab 834. The lever 802 maybe positioned over the lever receiver 804 with openings 836, 838 in thearms 830, 832 aligned with corresponding openings 840, 842,respectively, in projections provided on the lever receiver 804. Therelease pin 806 may extend through openings 836, 838, 840, 842 andthrough a central opening 844 in the torsion spring 808 to secure thelever 802 to the lever receiver 804, e.g. as shown in FIG. 6. One end846 of the torsion spring 808 may extend into an opening 848 in thelever receiver 804 and the other end 850 of the torsion spring 808 maybe positioned against an inside surface of the actuating tab 834. Thelever 802 may thereby be pivotally coupled to the body portion 800, viathe lever receiver 804, about the release pin 806 against a bias of thetorsion spring 808. When the lever 802 is in a rest position, thedetents 831, 833 may extend into the slots 108, 110, respectively, ofthe receiver 106.

FIGS. 9 and 10 illustrate the dovetail 112. Since both dovetails 112,114 may be similar in construction, for clarity only the dovetail 112 isshown. The dovetails 112, 114 may be constructed of a high strengthmaterial such as a 7075 T6 aluminum alloy, and may be mounted directlyto side surfaces of the imaging assembly 104, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.Electrical connections from contacts 1000 of the dovetail hot shoe 126may be provided to the imaging assembly 104 through associatedconductors 900 and a connector interface 902.

As shown, the dovetail 112 may include a configuration for mating withthe slot 110 of the receiver 106. In the illustrated exemplaryembodiment, the dovetail 112 has a generally tapered and dovetailedconfiguration. The tapered geometry along the length of the dovetailsmay allow for initial misalignment during insertion of the dovetail 112into a corresponding slot 110, and may also allow for manufacturingvariances between imaging assemblies and/or mounting assemblies, whilestill permitting the dovetails 112, 114 to mate tightly with the matingslots 108, 110 of the receiver 106, thereby establishing a rigidconnection. Other mating configurations may also, and/or alternatively,be provided.

As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, a top surface of the dovetail 112 mayinclude a detent opening 904 therein. When the dovetail 112 is matedwith the slot 110, the actuating tab 834 of the mount may be depressedto rotate the detents 831, 833 of the lever 802 out of the slots 108,110. Once the dovetail 112 is fully engaged with the slot 110, theactuating tab 834 may be released to allow the detent 833 to at leastpartially extend into the detent opening 904 of the dovetail 112.Positioning of the detent 833 within the detent opening 904 may securethe imaging assembly 104 to the mount assembly 102. The imaging assembly104 may be removed from the mount assembly 102 by depressing theactuating tab 834 to remove the detent 833 from the detent opening 904.The imaging assembly 104 may then be separated from the receiver 106 ofthe mount assembly 102 by sliding the dovetail 112 out of the slot 110.The detent and detent opening may cooperate to provide a latch and/orretainer configured to releasably or removably retain the imagingassembly 104 to the body portion 800 of the receiver 106.

Advantageously, in a vision system 100 consistent with the presentinvention, the imaging assembly 104 may be positioned on either side ofthe receiver 106 via cooperating dovetails 112, 114 and slots 108, 110.Positioning the imaging assembly on either side of the receiver 106 mayallow the imaging assembly to be selectively disposed in front of eitherthe right eye or the left eye of a user. Furthermore, attachment andremoval of the imaging assembly 104 from the mount assembly 102 may beaccomplished with one hand.

Turning now to FIG. 6 and FIGS. 11-12, a cross-slide assembly 400consistent with the present invention may provide the capability toprecisely locate the imaging assembly 104 in a plane. The cross-slideassembly may be used to position the imaging assembly 104 at the propereye relief for a range of users in front of either the right or lefteye. Fore and aft travel of the cross slide assembly 400 may beconfigured to accommodate the eye relief distances of the imagingassembly 104 required for any particular application, e.g. for use withgeneral purpose protective masks, laser protective eyewear and/or wind,sand and dust goggles.

The illustrated cross-slide assembly 400 may include a nested dovetailset, as shown in FIG. 6, and may be constructed from 7075 T6 aluminumalloy members. Adjustment of the cross-slide assembly 400 may beaccomplished by two lead screws 604, 606. Lead screw 604 may providefore-aft adjustment of the cross-slide assembly 400, and lead screw 606may provide adjustment of the interpupillary (lateral) position of animaging assembly 104 coupled to the cross-slide assembly 400. Thumbwheels 608, 610, 611 may be associated with respective lead screws 604,606, and may facilitate turning of the lead screws 604, 606. Inparticular, the fore-aft lead screw 604 may drive a fore-aft shuttle1202 along a fore-aft slide 1204 between forward and aft stops 1206,1208. A side-side shuttle, including and/or provided by guides 621coupled to the receiver 106, may be slidably positioned in associatedrails 622 on the fore-aft shuttle 1202. The interpupillary lead screw606 may extend through a threaded portion 614 on the receiver 106 andmay be supported on the fore-aft shuttle 1202 for driving the side-sideshuttle, including the receiver 106, across the fore-aft shuttle 1202between left 616 and right 618 stops. In one embodiment, the lead screws604, 606 may drive associated slides with a 4 start, 32 pitch thread.This may provide the accuracy required to locate the eyepiece at anappropriate rate of travel.

Tolerances and surface finishes of the cross-slide assembly 400 may beestablished to create a smooth motion. Mechanical play between fore-aftshuttle 1202 and the fore-aft slide 1204 may be minimized during theassembly process by providing Actel glides 1210 disposed between thefore-aft shuttle 1202 and the fore-aft slide 1204. The glides 1210 maybe nested within pockets 1212 of the fore-aft shuttle and may be shimmedto provide a maximum clearance of, for example, 0.001 of an inch.Similar glides 620 may be disposed between the guides 621 coupled to thereceiver 106 and the associated rails 622 and/or the fore-aft shuttle1202.

As shown in FIG. 11, the mount arm 404 may support the cross-slideassembly 400 and may provide the load path to the stow pivot and slide(SPS) assembly 406. In one embodiment, the mount arm 404 may beconstructed from a 7075 T6 aluminum alloy. As shown, for example, inFIGS. 3-4 and 11, the mount arm 404 may be coupled to the pivot housing402 of the SPS assembly 406 by two 3/32 stainless steel spring pins 420,422 and two flat head fasteners 424, 426, e.g., as shown in FIG. 4. Thepins 420, 422 may create a line fit between the mating parts withminimized mechanical play. The flat head screws 424, 426 give rotationalstrength to actuate the pivot mechanics.

As shown in FIGS. 6-7, the cross-slide assembly 400 may be coupled tothe mount arm 404 by two shoulder screws 640, 642. Assembly play may bemanaged at this interface by o-rings 650, 654, which may apply a preloadto the mating surfaces. This technique may maintain the stability of themount assembly 102 and imaging assembly 104. The cross-slide assembly400 may be tightened against the mount arm 404 by a tilt adjustmentlever 644 that rotates about a pin or screw 646. Rotation of the lever644 may present an eccentric cam surface 656 for reliably tightening andreleasing the connection between the mount arm 404 and the cross-slideassembly 400 to allow pivoting of the cross-slide assembly 400 relativeto the mount arm 404 about the shoulder screws 640, 642.

In the foregoing manner, a pivot connection may thus be made to thecross-slide assembly 400 to allow the user to adjust the tilt of themount assembly 102. In the prone position, tilt adjustment may aid theuser by reducing the required rotation of the head to performsurveillance. This capability may significantly reduce head and neckfatigue.

The stow pivot and slide (SPS) assembly 406, as shown for example inFIGS. 3-4 and 11, may allow the user to pivot the mount assembly 102into a stow position and to make vertical adjustments of the imagingassembly 104 to optimize the location of the eyepiece 130 for the user'sindividual requirements. It also completes the load path of the imagingassembly 104 and mount assembly 102 by attaching to the helmet adaptorassembly 2000.

As shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, the illustrated exemplary system 100 isconfigured to latch in both out-of-sight and in-sight positions withoutthe need for user to push, pull or twist any button, lever or knob. Thisfunction is provided by the pivot assembly 1500 of the SPS assembly 406shown in FIG. 15. Biased members, such as ball detents 1502 in the pivotassembly 1500 may engage associated features, such as lateral grooves1504, in a pivot drum 1506, which may be coupled to the mount arm 404,to hold the mount arm 404 and imaging assembly 104 latched in placewithout the need for additional mechanics. Each ball detent 1502 may bepreloaded with 25 lb of force, e.g. by springs 1508 which acts on thepivot drum 1506. In either the out-of-sight or the in-sight position,the ball detents 1502 may engage in one of the lateral grooves 1504 tohold the imaging assembly 104 securely in place.

When the user pulls the mounting arm 404 to place the mount assembly 102in the alternative position, the ball detents 1502 may retract from thelateral groove 1504. The ball detents 1502 may run in a raceway aroundthe pivot drum 1506 until they engage in a second lateral groove. Thisaction may latch the imaging assembly 104 in the alternative position.According to one embodiment, the ball detents 1502 may thus beconfigured to break free if the user pulls the imaging assembly 104and/or the mount assembly 102 out of either fixed position. According toone embodiment, the lateral grooves 1504 may be angularly spacedapproximately 135 degrees apart on the pivot drum 1506.

Correspondingly, the angular separation between the out-of-sightposition and the in-sight position may also be approximately 135degrees. Once the ball detents 1502 break free of the first lateralgroove 1504, the mount may rotate 135 degrees and latch in place whenthe ball detents 1502 engage the second lateral groove. FIG. 13 showsthe mount in an in-sight position, and FIG. 14 shows the mount in anout-of-sight position. Various other suitable angles may also beemployed.

With reference now to FIGS. 15-16, a slide assembly 1600 of the SPSassembly 406 may allow the mount assembly 102, via the pivot housing402, to translate up and down to facilitate the positioning of theimaging assembly 104. In the illustrated embodiment, the slide action ofthe slide assembly 1600 is established by a cooperating dovetailprofiles between the pivot housing 402 and the slide 1604.

The pivot housing 402 may be fixed in a plurality of alternative heightsrelative to the slide 1604 by a release assembly 1605. A pawl 1510 on arelease tab 1608 may engage an array of slots, e.g., horizontal slots1606, to maintain the pivot housing 402 at one of a plurality ofalternative heights. The release tab 1608 may be fixed to the pivothousing 402 by a pin 1512 and a mounting frame 1514. The release tab1608 may be depressed to rotate about the pin 1512 releasing the pawl1510 from the horizontal slots 1606 to free the pivot hosing 402 forvertical adjustment relative to the slide 1604.

With reference also to FIGS. 16, 17 and 18, a latch plate 1612 of theSPS assembly 406 may attach the mount assembly 102 to a helmetinterface. Consistent with one embodiment, the helmet interface may bean adaptor plate 1800 of the helmet adaptor assembly (HAA) 2000, shownparticularly in FIGS. 1 and 19-21. The latch plate 1612 may be supportedby a fastener through an existing mounting hole in the front of thehelmet 101. Additional stability may be provided by a front hook 2002 ofthe adaptor plate 1800 which may anchor the helmet adaptor assembly 2000to the brim of the helmet 101. The mount assembly 102 may lock into theadaptor plate 1800.

The mount assembly 102 may be locked into the helmet adaptor plate 1800by a stationary tab 1700 and spring loaded latch 1702 of the latch plate1612. The tab 1700 may be engaged into a pocket at the top of theadapter plate 1800 and then the mount assembly 102 may be rotateddownward to catch the latch 1702 in a latch receiver 2004. Precisiontolerancing between the helmet adaptor plate 1800 and the latch platemay minimize the mechanical play at the interface. Remaining mechanicalplay may be reduced and/or eliminated by a light preloaded applied by acompliant pressure pad disposed between the adaptor plate 1800 and thelatch plate 1612. According to one embodiment, the compliant pressurepad may be a 60 durometer SANTOPRENE thermoplastic elastomer pressurepad. The mount assembly 102 may be released from the adaptor plate 1800by depressing the release lever 1704 of the latch plate 1612 to releasethe latch 1702 from the latch receiver 2004 and pulling the mountassembly 102 free.

The SPS assembly 406 may be constructed from materials selected tobalance the system weight and the stiffness and strength requirementsfor the specific component. In one embodiment, the pivot housing 402,pivot drum 1506, and latch plate 1612 may be constructed from 7075 T6aluminum.

Turning again to FIG. 1 and also to FIGS. 19-21, the helmet adapterassembly 2000 may include a helmet adapter plate 1800 coupled to thefront hook 2002, a cable strap assembly 2006 extending from the adapterplate 1800 to a battery pack hub and buckle 2008, and a rear hook 2010coupled to the battery pack hub 2008. FIGS. 22-23 show the adapter plate1800 and front hook 2002 assembly and FIG. 24 shows the rear hook 2010assembly. The front and rear hooks 2002, 2010 may be configured toengage the front and rear rims of the helmet 101. The cable strapassembly 2006 may be tightened against the battery pack hub and buckle2008 to tighten the helmet adaptor assembly 2000 against the helmet 101.As shown in FIG. 24, the rear hook 2010 may be provided with a hook andloop fastener 2400, such as a VELCRO brand fastener, on front 2402 andback 2404 surfaces thereof for fastening the back surface 2404 against acorresponding hook and loop fastener affixed to the inside surface ofthe helmet 101 and for fastening the front surface 2402 against a helmetliner or padding (not shown).

As shown in FIG. 25 a power cable 2500 may extend from the battery packhub and buckle 2008 through the strap assembly 2006 and to a connector2502 coupled to the cable 2500 as shown, for example, in FIGS. 37-38.The connector 2502 may be coupled to the helmet adapter 1800, e.g. asshown in FIGS. 19-23, to provide an interface for an electricalconnection from the battery pack 103 to the vision system 100 throughcorresponding contacts 1620 coupled to the SPS 406, e.g., such as shownin FIGS. 16 and 17. The contacts 1620 may be constructed from a brass360 alloy with a plating system of copper, electroless nickel and gold.

The cable 2500 may be secured to the helmet 101. In one embodimentconsistent with the present invention, the cable 2500 may be secured tothe helmet 101 in such a manner as to avoid risk of the cable snaggingon elements that may contact the helmet 101. According to one suchembodiment, the strap assembly 2006 may be configured to provide a cablechannel 2801 for covering at least a portion of the cable 2500. Asshown, for example, in FIGS. 26-28, the strap assembly 2006 may includea first elongate member, such as an upper webbing 2800, and a secondelongate member, such as a lower webbing 2802. The upper webbing 2800may be wider than the lower webbing 2802. The edges of the upper webbing2800 may be stitched to the edges of the lower webbing 2802 to establisha cable channel 2801 between the upper and lower webbings 2800, 2802.The edges of the upper and lower webbings 2800, 2802 may be continuouslyand/or intermittently stitched together. Alternative techniques may alsobe employed for continuously and/or intermittently coupling the upperand lower webbings 2800, 2802 together along at least a portion of theexpanse thereof. As shown for example in FIGS. 20-21 and 25, the cable2500 may be passed through this channel 2801 from the battery pack huband buckle 2008 and may be terminated by the connector 2502.

The battery pack hub and buckle 2008, as shown in FIGS. 30-39, mayprovide a mechanical interface to a battery pack 103 and an electricalinterface between one or more batteries in the battery pack 103 and thecable 2500. As shown for example, in FIGS. 33-36 the cable 2500 may beterminated in the battery pack hub 2008 by electrically connectingconductors 3300 of the cable 2500 to associated contacts 3200 exposed ata front surface 3202 of the battery pack hub and buckle 2008. Thecontacts 3200 may be positioned to electrically connect to associatedcontacts on a battery pack 103. As shown in FIG. 39, the battery packhub and buckle 2008 may include a buckle portion 3900 for receiving astrap 3902 to adjustably couple the rear hook 2010 to the battery packhub and buckle 2008.

An exemplary embodiment of a battery pack 103 is shown in FIGS. 1, 19,and 40. As shown, the battery pack 103 may be contoured to the helmet101, and may be waterproof as well as sand and dust proof. The batterypack 103 may removably attach to the battery pack hub and buckle 2008.In one embodiment, the battery pack 103 may hold four “AA” sizebatteries. According to one embodiment, all of the batteries may beinstalled in the same orientation, e.g. with a plus (+) end up toprovide ease of installation. Symbols on the outside of the housing aswell as (+) plus marks inside the top housing may clearly indicatecorrect battery orientation.

In addition to being contoured to fit the helmet 101, the sides andedges of the battery pack 103 may be tapered. By contouring the batterypack 103 to closely follow the shape of the helmet 101, the battery pack103 may benefit from the structural integrity of the helmet 101 forsupport. The unique shape of the battery pack 103 may minimize any snaghazards. According to an embodiment consistent with the presentinvention, the battery pack cover may attach to the battery pack body bymeans of one or more thumbscrews 4002. In an embodiment herein, the oneor more thumbscrews 4000 may be shrouded to minimize any snag hazardwhile at the same time permitting easy manipulation and/or opening ofthe battery pack 103 by users wearing gloves of any kind. In oneembodiment, the battery pack may be constructed from a 20% glass filledpolyetherimide, such as ULTEM. A thumbscrew 4000 may releasable securethe battery pack 103 to the battery pack hub and buckle 2008, e.g. byoperating a threaded, bayonet, etc., securement feature which may engageopening 3901. Various alternative configurations may also be employedfor releasably engaging the battery pack to the battery pack hub andbuckle assembly.

According to an aspect, the present disclosure may provide an attachmentsystem for securing a mount to a helmet. The system may include a frontassembly configured to be coupled to a front portion of a helmet and arear assembly configured to be coupled to a rear portion of a helmet.The system may also include a first elongate member having a first endcoupled to the front assembly and a second end coupled to the rearassembly. A second elongate member may be coupled to the first elongatemember to establish a cable channel therebetween along at least aportion of the first elongate member between the first and second ends.

According to an aspect, the present disclosure may provide an attachmentsystem for securing a vision system to a helmet. The attachment systemmay include a first elongate member having a first end for coupling to afeature on a front of a helmet and a second end for coupling to afeature on a rear of the helmet. The attachment system may additionallyinclude a second elongate member coupled to the first elongate member toestablish a cable channel therebetween along at least a portion of thefirst elongate member between the first end and the second eng.

According to one aspect, the present disclosure may provide a visionsystem mount assembly including a receiver configured to be removablycoupled to an imaging assembly. The vision system mount assembly mayfurther include a cross-slide assembly coupled to the receiver, in whichthe cross-slide assembly may be configured to move the imaging assemblyin a first plane. A stow pivot/slide assembly may be configured to pivotthe imaging assembly between a first position and a second position, andmay further be configured to move the imaging assembly in a secondplane. The vision system mount assembly may also include a mount armextending between the stow pivot/slide assembly and the cross-slideassembly.

According to another aspect, a receiver for mounting an imaging assemblymay be provided including a body portion, and first and second mountingfeatures capable of removably coupling an imaging assembly to the bodyportion. The receiver may also include a retainer configured toreleasably retain the imaging assembly to the body portion. The retainermay be biased toward an engaged position.

According to yet another aspect, a cross-slide assembly for coupling avision system to a helmet may be provided. The cross-slide assembly mayinclude a fore-aft slide configured to be coupled to the helmet. Afore-aft shuttle may be slidably coupled to the fore-aft slide and mayinclude at least one rail. The cross-slide assembly may also include aside-side shuffle that may be slidably coupled to the rail. Theside-side shuttle may be configured to be coupled to an imagingassembly.

According to a further aspect, a stow pivot/slide assembly may beprovided including a slide assembly coupled to a helmet. The stowpivot/slide assembly may also include a pivot assembly having a pivothousing that may be slidably coupled to the slide assembly, and a pivotdrum. The pivot assembly may further include a detent configured toreleasably secure the pivot drum in at least a first and a secondposition relative to the pivot housing.

According to still another aspect, a helmet adapter assembly for avision system may be provided. The helmet adapter assembly may include ahelmet adapter plate, a front hook coupled to the helmet adapter plateand configured for coupling to a front portion of a helmet. The helmetadapter assembly may also include a rear hook configured for coupling toa rear portion of the helmet. A battery pack hub and buckle assembly maybe coupled to the rear hook. The helmet adapter assembly may alsoinclude a strap extending between the adapter plate and the battery packhub and buckle assembly.

According to yet another aspect, the present disclosure may relate to asystem for attaching a vision system to a helmet. The system may includea helmet interface coupled to the helmet, and a mount assembly coupledto an imaging system. The mount assembly may include a latch plate, inwhich the latch plate may be releasably coupled to the helmet interface.

According to yet another aspect, a strap assembly may be provided. Thestrap assembly may include an upper webbing and a lower webbing coupledtogether to establish a cable channel therebetween at least along aportion of the lower webbing. The strap assembly securing a battery packto a helmet between a front rim and a rear rim.

Although several embodiments of the present invention have beendescribed in detail herein, the invention is not limited hereto. It willbe appreciated by those having ordinary skill in the art that variousmodifications can be made without materially departing from the noveland advantageous teachings of the invention. Accordingly, theembodiments disclosed herein are by way of example. It is to beunderstood that the scope of the invention is not to be limited thereby.

1. An attachment system for securing a mount to a helmet comprising: afront assembly configured to be coupled to a front portion of a helmet;a rear assembly configured to be coupled to a rear portion of a helmet;a first elongate member having a first end coupled to said frontassembly and a second end coupled to said rear assembly; and a secondelongate member coupled to said first elongate member to establish acable channel therebetween along at least a portion of said firstelongate member between said first end and said second end.
 2. Theattachment system of claim 1, wherein the second elongate member is anupper strap and said first elongate member is a lower strap when theattachment system is coupled to a helmet.
 3. The attachment system ofclaim 1, wherein said first elongate member and said second elongatemembers comprise textile materials.
 4. The attachment system of claim 1,wherein said front assembly comprises a helmet adapter plate, and afront hook coupled to said helmet adapter plate and configured forcoupling to a front portion of a helmet; and wherein said rear assemblycomprises a battery pack hub and buckle assembly and a rear hook coupledto said battery pack hub and buckle assembly, and configured forcoupling to a rear portion of said helmet, said first elongate memberextending between said adapter plate and said battery pack hub andbuckle assembly.
 5. The attachment system of claim 4, wherein saidbattery pack hub and buckle assembly is coupled to said rear hook by anadjustable strap.
 6. The attachment system of claim 4, furthercomprising a power cable extending from said battery pack hub and buckleassembly toward said adapter plate at least partially disposed in saidcable channel.
 7. The attachment system of claim 4, further comprising abattery pack for retaining at least one battery, said battery pack huband buckle assembly configured to provide a mechanical interface to saidbattery pack.
 8. The attachment system of claim 4, wherein said rearhook comprises hook and loop fasteners on at least a portion of a frontand a back surface thereof, said hook and loop fastener on said backsurface configured to secure said rear hook to said helmet and said hookand loop fastener on said front surface configured to secure said rearhook to a helmet liner.
 9. An attachment system for securing a visionsystem to a helmet comprising: a first elongate member having a firstend for coupling to a feature on a front of a helmet and a second endfor coupling to a feature on a rear of the helmet; and a second elongatemember coupled to the first elongate member to establish a cable channeltherebetween along at least a portion of the first elongate memberbetween the first end and the second end.
 10. The attachment system ofclaim 9, wherein the second elongate member is an upper strap and saidfirst elongate member is a lower strap, the lower strap maintained incontact with a top surface of a helmet along a substantial portion ofits length.
 11. The attachment system of claim 9, wherein the firstelongate member and the second elongate member comprise webbings thatare at least partially sewn together.
 12. The attachment system of claim9, wherein said feature on a front of the helmet comprises a hook on thefront of the helmet and said feature on a rear of the helmet comprises ahook on the rear of the helmet.
 13. The attachment system of claim 12,wherein the first end of the first elongate member is coupled to saidhook on the front of the helmet through a helmet adapter plate and thesecond end is coupled to said hook on the rear of said helmet through abattery pack hub and buckle assembly.
 14. A helmet adapter assembly fora vision system comprising: a helmet adapter plate; a front hook coupledto said helmet adapter plate and configured for coupling to a frontportion of a helmet; a rear hook configured for coupling to a rearportion of said helmet; a battery pack hub and buckle assembly coupledto said rear hook; and a strap extending between said adapter plate andsaid battery pack hub and buckle assembly.
 15. A helmet adapter assemblyaccording to claim 14, wherein said battery pack hub and buckle assemblyis coupled to said rear hook with an adjustable strap.
 16. A helmetadapter assembly according to claim 14, further comprising a power cableextending between said battery pack hub and buckle assembly and aconnector coupled to said adapter plate.
 17. A helmet adapter assemblyaccording to claim 14, wherein said strap comprises a cable channel forcovering at least a portion of said power cable extending between saidbattery pack hub and said helmet adapter plate.
 18. A helmet adapterassembly according to claim 14, further comprising a battery pack forretaining at least one battery, said battery pack hub and buckleassembly configured to provide a mechanical interface to said batterypack.
 19. A helmet adapter assembly according to claim 18, wherein saidbattery pack hub and buckle assembly is configured to provide anelectrical interface to said at least one battery.
 20. A helmet adapterassembly according to claim 14, wherein said rear hook comprises hookand loop fasteners on a front and a back surface thereof, said hook andloop fasteners configured to secure said rear hook to said helmet and toa helmet liner. 21-60. (canceled)
 61. A vision system mount assemblycomprising: a receiver configured to be removably coupled to an imagingassembly; a cross-slide assembly coupled to said receiver and configuredfor adjusting said imaging assembly in a first plane; a stow pivot/slideassembly configured to pivot said imaging assembly between a firstposition and a second position, and configured for adjusting saidimaging assembly in a second plane; and a mount arm extending betweensaid stow pivot/slide assembly and said cross-slide assembly.
 62. Avision system mount assembly according to claim 61, wherein saidcross-slide assembly comprises a first set of slidably cooperatingfeatures and a first lead screw for moving said receiver in a firstdirection.
 63. A vision system mount assembly according to claim 62,wherein said cross-slide assembly comprises a second set of slidablycooperating features and a second lead screw for moving said receiver ina second direction generally transverse to the first direction.
 64. Avision system mount according to claim 61, wherein said receivercomprises a hot-shoe arrangement for electrically coupling to saidimaging assembly.
 65. A vision system mount according to claim 61,wherein said stow pivot/slide assembly comprises a set of slidablycooperating features for adjusting said imaging assembly in said secondplane.
 66. A vision system mount according to claim 65, wherein saidstow pivot/slide assembly comprises a pawl and at least one cooperatingslot for releasably maintaining said imaging assembly in a firstposition in said second plane.
 67. A vision system mount according toclaim 61, wherein said stow pivot/slide assembly comprises a pivot drumand a detent for pivotally moving said imaging assembly between saidfirst position and said second position.
 68. A vision system mountaccording to claim 61, wherein said cross-slide assembly is coupled tosaid mount arm to provide an adjustable tilt angle of said imagingassembly relative to said mount arm.
 69. A vision system mount accordingto claim 61, further comprising a retainer configured to removablyretain said imaging assembly to said receiver.
 70. A vision system mountaccording to claim 61, wherein said receiver is configured toselectively dispose said imaging assembly in front of one of a left anda right eye when the vision system mount assembly is coupled to ahelmet.
 71. A receiver for mounting an imaging assembly comprising: abody portion; first and second mounting features capable of removablycoupling an imaging assembly to said body portion; and a retainerconfigured to releasably retain said imaging assembly to said bodyportion, said retainer biased toward an engaged position.
 72. A receiveraccording to claim 71, further comprising a plurality of electricalcontacts capable of electrically coupling to corresponding contacts ofsaid imaging assembly when said imaging assembly is coupled to saidreceiver.
 73. A receiver according to claim 72, wherein said pluralityof electrical contacts are disposed on said first and second mountingfeatures.
 74. A receiver according to claim 71, wherein said first andsecond mounting features are symmetrically opposed on said body portionfor alternatively coupling said imaging assembly on either a first or asecond side of said receiver.
 75. A receiver according to claim 71,wherein said first and second mounting features comprise dovetail slotsconfigured to mate with cooperating dovetail features on said imagingassembly.
 76. A receiver according to claim 71, wherein said retainercomprises a lever pivotally coupled to said body portion.
 77. A receiveraccording to claim 76, wherein said lever comprises a detent configuredto engage a detent opening defined in said imaging system.
 78. Areceiver according to claim 76, wherein said lever comprises first andsecond arms associated with said first and second mounting features. 79.A cross-slide assembly for coupling a vision system to a helmet,comprising: a fore-aft slide configured to be coupled to the helmet; afore-aft shuttle slidably coupled to said fore-aft slide and comprisingat least one rail; and a side-side shuttle slidably coupled to saidrail, said side-side shuttle configured to be coupled to an imagingassembly.
 80. The cross-slide assembly of claim 79, wherein the fore-aftshuttle is configured to provide movement of the imaging assembly towardand away from the helmet and said side-side shuttle is configured toprovide movement of the imaging assembly to the left and right of thehelmet.
 81. A cross-slide assembly according to claim 79, wherein saidfore-aft slide and said fore-aft shuttle comprise nested dovetailfeatures slidably coupling said fore-aft shuttle to said fore-aft slide.82. A cross-slide assembly according to claim 79, wherein said side-sideshuttle comprises a guide and wherein said rail and said guide comprisenested dovetail features slidably coupling said side-side shuttle tosaid rail.
 83. A cross-slide assembly according to claim 79, furthercomprising a fore-aft lead screw coupled between said fore-aft slide andsaid fore-aft shuttle, rotation of said fore-aft lead screw slidablymoving said fore-aft shuttle relative to said fore-aft slide.
 84. Across-slide assembly according to claim 79, further comprising a forwardstop and an aft stop disposed adjacent to opposed ends of said fore-aftslide, said forward stop and said aft stop limiting sliding movement ofsaid fore-aft shuttle relative to said fore-aft slide.
 85. A cross-slideassembly according to claim 79, further comprising an interpupillarylead screw coupled between said fore-aft shuttle and said side-sideshuttle, rotation of said interpupillary screw slidably moving saidside-side shuttle relative to said rail.
 86. A cross-slide assemblyaccording to claim 79, further comprising first and second stopsdisposed adjacent to opposed ends of said fore-aft shuttle, said firstand second stops limiting sliding movement of said side-side shuttlerelative to said rail.
 87. A cross-slide assembly according to claim 79,wherein said fore-aft slide is configured to be coupled to a helmet viaa stow pivot/slide.
 88. A cross-slide assembly according to claim 87,wherein said fore-aft slide is configured to be coupled to said stowpivot/slide by an eccentric cam, said eccentric cam configured to tiltsaid fore-aft slide relative to said stow pivot/slide.
 89. A cross-slideassembly according to claim 79, wherein said side-side shuttle isconfigured to be coupled to said imaging assembly via a receiver.
 90. Astow pivot/slide assembly comprising: a slide assembly coupled to ahelmet; and a pivot assembly comprising a pivot housing slidably coupledto said slide assembly and a pivot drum, said pivot assembly furthercomprising a detent configured to releasably secure said pivot drum inat least a first and a second position relative to said pivot housing.91. A stow pivot/slide assembly according to claim 90, wherein saiddetent comprises a biased member coupled between said pivot housing andsaid pivot drum, said member configured to releasably engage a lateralgroove in said pivot drum.
 92. A stow pivot/slide assembly according toclaim 91, wherein said biased member is a ball biased by a spring.
 93. Astow pivot/slide assembly according to claim 90, wherein said detent isconfigured to releasably secure an imaging assembly coupled to saidpivot drum in one of a stowed and a deployed position.
 94. A stowpivot/slide assembly according to claim 90, wherein said slide assemblyand said pivot assembly comprise cooperating dovetail profiles slidablyengaged to one another.
 95. A stow pivot/slide assembly according toclaim 90, further comprising a slide release assembly coupled betweensaid pivot housing and said slide, said slide release assemblyconfigured to releasably secure said pivot assembly in at least one of afirst and second position relative to said slide assembly.
 96. A stowpivot/slide assembly according to claim 95, wherein said slide releaseassembly comprises a release tab coupled to said pivot housing, saidrelease tab having a pawl configured to releasably engage at least oneslot in said slide assembly for releasably maintaining a position ofsaid pivot assembly relative to said slide assembly.
 97. A system forattaching a vision system to a helmet comprising: a helmet interfacecoupled to said helmet; and a mount assembly coupled to an imagingsystem, said mount assembly comprising a latch plate, said latch platereleasably coupled to said helmet interface.
 98. A system according toclaim 97, wherein said helmet interface comprises an adapter plate of ahelmet adapter assembly.
 99. A system according to claim 97, whereinsaid latch plate comprises a stationary tab and a spring loaded latchfor releasably engaging cooperating features of said helmet interface.100. A system according to claim 97, further comprising an elastomericmember between said helmet interface and said latch plate, saidelastomeric member providing a preload.